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United States Patent |
5,282,092
|
Wilhelms
|
January 25, 1994
|
Video and/or audio signal receiving and recording arrangement
Abstract
A device or arrangement for recording video and/or audio data with at least
one receiving and recording device and a connected or integrated
additional audio and/or video data storage means of limited capacity, of 2
to 10 minutes, preferably 3.5 to 6.5 minutes which, when the receiving
device is set in operation, commences storage of the data received and
stores it in the same sequence as reception and for the storage period
corresponding to the limited storage capacity and then in the sequence in
which it is stored erases it or disposes of it and accordingly fills up
the storage space with the continuously received data and upon
commencement of the per se known storage on per se known storage material
(recording tape cassettes, video cassettes) either stops or continuously
transfers the received data for recording purposes, with a time lag
corresponding to the limited capacity of the interim storage means, to the
per se known recording carrier.
Inventors:
|
Wilhelms; Rolf E. (Preysingstrasse 11, 8000 Munich 80, DE)
|
Appl. No.:
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647653 |
Filed:
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January 30, 1991 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
360/5; 360/61 |
Intern'l Class: |
G11B 005/00; G11B 015/12 |
Field of Search: |
360/5,7,69,61
358/908
369/7
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3812530 | May., 1974 | Ikegami | 360/5.
|
4197497 | Jul., 1980 | Phelps | 360/5.
|
4282606 | Aug., 1981 | Factor | 455/620.
|
4408309 | Oct., 1983 | Kiesling et al. | 369/7.
|
4531161 | Jul., 1985 | Murakoshi | 360/5.
|
4982390 | Jan., 1991 | Tanaka | 360/7.
|
5025324 | Jun., 1991 | Hashimoto | 360/5.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
2219330 | Nov., 1973 | DE.
| |
3015737 | Nov., 1980 | DE.
| |
3126430 | Mar., 1982 | DE.
| |
3333078 | Mar., 1985 | DE.
| |
3528643 | Feb., 1987 | DE.
| |
8810090 | Feb., 1989 | DE.
| |
01838 | Feb., 1990 | WO.
| |
Other References
Funkschau 1960/Heft 22: Mirastar S 15 ein Plattenspieier fur junge Leute
(Scallplatte und Tonband).
|
Primary Examiner: Hajec; Donald
Assistant Examiner: Kim; Won Tae C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom & Ferguson
Claims
I claim:
1. A signal receiving and recording arrangement consisting of a broadcast
signal receiver means for receiving at least one of broadcast video and
audio signals and a recording instrument with
an interim data storage means for storing data signals which correspond to
the broadcast signals received by the broadcast signal receiver means,
said interim data storage means being connected so as to be switched on
whenever the signal receiver means is switched on, and having a storage
capacity that is limited to a specific period of said data signals and
which cyclically stores said data signals for the specified period, and
an access and connecting device that is connected to the interim data
storage means and the recording instrument and which enables the data
signals stored in the interim data storage means to be transferred from
the interim data storage means to the recording instrument in response to
operation of the recording instrument by a user;
wherein said access and connecting device is operable for commencing the
transferring of said data signals stored in the interim data storage means
from the interim data storage means to the recording instrument
immediately upon said operation of the recording instrument by a user, and
for delaying termination of said transference of the data signals, after
deactivation of said recording instrument by the user, for a period of
time corresponding to the storage capacity of said interim data storage
means.
2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the access and connecting
device includes means for transferring to the recording instrument, when
the recording instrument is in operation, data signals stored in the
interim data storage means as well as data signals subsequently received
by the broadcast signal receiver means after an intermediate storage
thereof in the interim data storage means.
3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the interim data storage
means is a memory having a means for releasing the oldest of said data
signals as new data signals are received when the storage capacity of the
memory is exceeded.
4. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the specific period to
which the capacity of the interim data storage means is limited
corresponds to a recording time of 2 to 10 minutes.
5. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the interim data storage
means is selected from the group consisting of an annular loop of a
strip-like data carrier and a storage disc.
6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the specific period to
which the capacity of the interim data storage means is limited
corresponds to a recording time of 2 to 10 minutes.
7. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the interim data storage
means is a memory having a means for releasing the oldest of said data
signals as new data signals are received when the storage capacity of the
memory is exceeded.
8. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal
receiver means is a radio receiver and the recording instrument is a
cassette recorder.
9. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal
receiver means is a television receiver and the recording instrument is a
video recorder.
10. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the specific period to
which the capacity of the interim data storage means is limited
corresponds to a recording time of 2 to 10 minutes.
11. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the signal receiver means
is a radio receiver and the recording instrument is a cassette recorder.
12. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal
receiver means is a television receiver and the recording instrument is a
video recorder.
13. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the specific period to
which the capacity of the interim data storage means is limited
corresponds to a recording time of 2 to 10 minutes.
14. An arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an output means
for producing a respective one of a visual and an audio output from said
broadcast signal receiver means; and
user operable actuating means for commencing transferrence of the data
signals stored in said interim data storage to the recording instrument
for recording thereof and for terminating said transference of the data
signals;
wherein production of said output signals by said output means is
unaffected by operation of said user operable means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a video and/or audio signal receiving and
recording arrangement comprising a receiver and a recording apparatus.
Such arrangements are known for example as video recorders with integrated
playback device (monitor) or a separate television set. In another
technical field, they are known as radio cassette recorders with an
integrated radio receiver part.
Known from German Offenlegungsechrift 31 26 430 is a recording instrument,
for example a dictating instrument, with an automatic starting device
which switches on the dictating instrument and in particular the drive for
the recording carrier when the amplitude of the signal to be recorded is
above a response threshold. This construction avoids unnecessary tape use
since the instrument works only when an effective signal is present.
With such a recording instrument, in order to avoid the commencement being
recorded in a distorted fashion after the recording has started, since the
recording instrument has as yet failed to reach the necessary running
speed of the recording carrier, a delay part is provided which delays the
recording of the signal on the recording carrier by a period of time which
corresponds to the time which the recording carrier needs to reach its
desired speed.
It is possible furthermore to ascertain from the magazine Funkschau 1960,
No. 22, pp. 559 to 561, in the case of a magnetic tape recorder with an
automatic starting facility which only begins to run when there is a
signal to be recorded, to delay the recording signal by a few seconds, for
example by using an endless auxiliary tape, in order to lose as little
signal as possible at the start.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,606 in the case of live radio
transmissions to delay the original signal by a certain period of time
prior to transmission so that there is a possibility of monitoring the
transmission and possibly of suppressing undesired passages without the
receiver being aware of the fact.
Finally, radios or television sets are known in which, during transmission,
the listener/viewer is able to replay a few seconds of the previously
received transmission. Upon termination of this replay, the playback of
the original transmission is resumed again at this point in time, in which
case the part of the original transmission which continued to run during
the replay is lost. A recording according to the invention is in this case
neither intended nor possible.
Audio and/or video recordings of a live programme are usually made in that
the receiver is switched on, the transmission channel or frequency which
is of interest is located and the recording is commenced at a moment when
the viewer or the listener passes the appropriate command to the recording
instrument which is ready to make the recording. Furthermore, it is
already known to pre-programme a recording, i.e. to record without the
listener or viewer directly experiencing the transmission.
With such recording instruments, it is deemed a drawback that when the
listener or viewer receives a video and/or audio transmission and then,
during the transmission, for example during a piece of music or during a
part of a programme such as for example a news or information programme,
decides that he wishes to record this transmission, can only make a
recording from the time this decision is taken but not retroactively and
therefore completely.
On the other hand, for technical and economic reasons it is not possible to
take the precaution of recording all transmissions and then afterwards
just keep a small part and erase the rest. That would require an excessive
consumption of recording material, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problem on which the invention is based resides in providing a video
and/or signal receiving and recording arrangement consisting of a receiver
and a recording instrument with which it is possible in the event of an
instant decision on the part of the user to record from an already running
programme parts which had already been transmitted prior to the decision.
In the case of the arrangement according to the invention, therefore, the
data signal is stored temporarily for a certain time and is made available
to the recording instrument when required so that if the user decides
spontaneously to record a transmission, the data signal already
transmitted during this period is still available. Therefore, if during
this period of time, the user makes a decision to record a transmission,
then this transmission can be recorded completely.
The arrangement according to the invention comprises an interim data store,
this term being understood to embrace any device or arrangement which
stores audio and/or video data in digital or analogue form for a limited
period of time, preferably 2 to 10 minutes and in particular 3.5 to 6.5
minutes and then, in the same sequence as that in which the recording is
made, records over and erases it, feeding the consequently freed storage
space for transitionless storage of the subsequently arriving signals.
Examples of such storage means are recording discs or recording tapes
which run in a closed loop and which possibly have associated recording,
erasing and playback stations. In the case of another form of memory used
according to the invention, subsequently received data pushes previously
stored data through the memory so that with this example of embodiment the
stored data travel through the memory. An example of such a memory is the
shift register.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically depict two embodiments of arrangements
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In order to facilitate comprehension by the average man skilled in the art
of audio and video recording equipment (video recorders) on the one hand
and in the field of audio recording equipment (radio recorders) on the
other, the manner in which the interim data storage means or the
arrangement according to the invention functions will be described with
reference to the following example:
The user of the radio recorder switches on his radio unit. This
switching-on process simultaneously switches on the interim memory
according to the invention. In the present case, let it be assumed that it
has an audio tape of 5 minutes' duration. This audio tape passes in a
closed loop, possibly in the form of a Mobius tape to achieve the desired
capacity and reduce the absolute length of the tape. In the area
immediately in front of the recording heads are the erase heads;
preferably, a recording head is used which records over and erases
recorded tape so that in this case there is no need for an erase head.
By means of the circuit with which the man skilled in the art will be
familiar, the intermediate storage means always records the transmission
to which the user tunes the connected radio receiver part.
In the present example, it will always be just the last preceding 5 minutes
which will be stored by the interim storage means. If, then, while the
transmission is running, the user hears for instance a song of which he
did not or could know that it would be included in the transmission but
which he would nevertheless like to record, he switches on the recording
cassette in the usual way and sets it to Record, so that immediately after
the commencement of this recording, the interim storage means stops. In
this way, for example, the last 5 minutes are contained in the interim
storage means while the subsequent part of the transmission is recorded on
the inserted cassette.
The period of 5 minutes was chosen in this example because experience shows
that, if a receiver is not already prepared for recording, then this is
sufficient time to find a tape, insert it into the recording instrument
and commence the recording. In the case of normal songs which last about 3
minutes, it would be a good idea when required only to start the inserted
cassette after the song is finished in order to save on the subsequent
splicing together of the two parts of the song. Having regard to the
frequent song length of about 3 minutes, a storage means having the (time)
storage capacity of about 3.5 minutes is required.
Preferably, the recording device is so constructed that when the tape is
inserted, the tape is advanced automatically by exactly the running time
which corresponds to the recording capacity of the interim storage means
so that an unrecorded "leader" is formed. Then, subsequently, it is simple
for the contents of the (stopped or switched off) interim storage means to
be transferred to the correct location, the "leader", of the inserted
tape.
In the case of the particularly preferred embodiment, when the recording is
switched on, the contents of the interim storage means are transferred to
the inserted tape directly and in the present case with a time offset of 5
minutes, to the conventional cassette tape.
In the manner described, it is possible to make recordings on per se
conventional recording carriers (e.g. conventional recording cassettes for
radio or video recorders) which were received prior to the start of the
usual recording, in the present case during the 5 minute time lapse prior
to the start. It will be readily appreciated that there will in the end be
contained on the conventional recording carrier a part of a recording
which was received before the recording with the conventional recording
carrier was started.
FIG. 1 illustrates a video and/or audio signal receiving and recording
arrangement 1 that has a signal receiving means 3 which receives at least
one of video and audio signals, and a recording instrument 5, as well as
an interim data storage means 7. The interim data storage means 7 is
linked with the receiver 3 by a control line so as to be turned on
together with the receiver 3 and by a recording line so as to receive
recording data signals corresponding to the signals received by the signal
receiver 3. The interim data storage means 7 has a storage capacity that
is limited to a specific period of data signals, such as that noted above,
and which, in this case, is illustrated as having a data storage disc or
shift register 14 instead of an endless loop, although the particular type
of data storage medium is not critical. Thus, data received from receiver
3 is continuously applied to the storage means 7 replacing the oldest data
therein.
With a recording medium, such as a tape cassette 12 in the recording
instrument 5, actuation of the recording instrument will result in a
control signal being delivered to the interim storage device, so that the
data signals stored thereon will be delivered to the recording device,
just prior to being recorded over. Upon deactivation of the recording
function, a timer 13 causes the turn off signal not to be processed until
a time period has elapsed which corresponds to the specific period of data
signals on the storage means 7, thereby accounting for the delay
associated with the signals from the receiver being delayed by their
passage through the data storage means 7.
An alternative arrangement 1' is shown in FIG. 2. In this arrangement, the
receiving and playback device 3' delivers an output data signal directly
to both a recording instrument 5' and to the interim storage device 7',
which is shown in FIG. 2 as being in the form of a closed loop of magnetic
tape 8 which circulates over recording heads 9 and the erase heads 10.
With this arrangement, either upon loading of a recording medium, such as
cassette 12, or upon activation of the recording function, a tape advance
means 15 causes the recording medium to be advanced by an amount which
corresponds to the capacity of the interim data storage means so as to
form a leader which will be sufficiently large to accommodate the signals
contained in the interim data storage 7'.
Actuation of the recording function causes further storage of signals from
the receiver 3' to be discontinued while direct recording by the recording
instrument 5' from the receiver is being performed. This result can be
achieved such as by a control signal from the recording instrument 5' to
the receiver 3' causing the output signals of the receiver 3' to be
directed to the recording instrument 5' instead of the interim data
storage 7' with control signal being sent to the interim data storage
means 7' to place it in a standby mode, for example.
After termination of the direct recording process, the tape advance
mechanism 15 can be actuated to return the tape to the proper location at
the beginning of the leader section. The contents of the interim data
storage 7' is then caused to be delivered to the recording instrument for
recording on the leader when a control signal is sent from the recording
instrument 5' to the interim storage means 7'.
Two versions of how the FIG. 2 embodiment may be used to perform a
recording function will now be described followed by a fuller description
of a version of a recording operation which can be performed utilizing the
FIG. 1 embodiment.
VERSION I
1. By switching on the receiving unit, the interim storage memory is
switched on to the channel or frequency to which the receiver is tuned.
2. By inserting the recording carrier (tape, record or the like) and
starting the recording and/or (if the recording carrier is already
inserted) upon the start of the recording, recording in the interim
storage means is stopped and if required a brief time lag is so actuated
that the recording in the interim storage means is stopped only briefly
after commencement of the recording.
3. When the recording is switched off, the recording in the interim storage
means remains stopped (if required, provision can be made whereby a
separate command activates the interim storage means again and then, if
the stored contents of the interim storage means have still not been
transferred to the recording carrier, then the said contents will be
lost).
4. With a separate command, the stored contents of the stopped interim
storage means is subsequently transferred to the recording carrier
provided and if necessary (spliced together with) the subsequent part of
the transmission which is recorded on the conventional carrier.
5. Switching off the receiver cancels out the locking device on the interim
storage means.
6. By switching on the receiver, the interim storage means is switched on
at the frequency or on the channel to which the receiver has been set.
VERSION II
1. By switching on the receiving unit, the interim storage memory is
switched on to the channel or frequency to which the receiver is tuned.
2. The "leader" described is either formed in that when the recording
carrier is inserted and/or when the recording is started, the recording
carrier is advanced by the capacity of the interim storage means, the
resultant unrecorded "leader" corresponding in time to the stored contents
of the interim storage means.
If the leader is formed when the recording carrier is inserted, then this
part of Version II corresponds to step 2 in Version I.
If the leader is only formed by the "Record" signal, then the recording on
the interim storage means is only terminated upon completion of tape
advance and commencement of recording.
3. When the recording is switched off, also transfer to the interim storage
means is stopped (for the rest, see 3, Version I).
4. Transfer of the stored contents of the stopped interim storage means to
the "leader" of the recording carrier. To this end, it is possible to
provide that upon switch-off of transfer to the interim storage means this
latter stores a signal which so co-operates with a corresponding signal on
the conventional recording carrier which is generated on this latter at
the commencement of recording, that the contents of the interim storage
means can be transferred and combined virtually "seamlessly" to/with the
recording on(to) the conventional recording carrier, namely onto the
"leader" at some later time.
5. Switching off the receiver cuts out the locking device for transfer to
the interim storage means.
6. Switching on the receiver commences (switches on) transfer to the
interim storage means on the frequency or channel to which the receiver
has been set.
VERSION III
1. Switching on the receiver switches the interim storage means on to the
frequency or channel to which the receiver has been set.
2. By inserting the recording carrier and starting the recording or (if the
recording carrier is already inserted) starting the recording, the
transfer via a permanent interim storage means to the recording carrier is
triggered, the signals recorded on the recording carrier being delayed by
the time corresponding to the storage capacity. Permanent interim storage
means is a term to be understood that the storage means in this version is
not switched off, transfer of the transmission to the recording carrier
via the permanent interim storage means taking place continuously but
delayed corresponding to the interim storage's capacity. With this
version, the described interim storage means is preferred in which the
stored signals travel through the storage means (e.g. shift register).
3. In actual fact, switching off the recording has the effect of switching
off the transfer via the permanent interim storage means to the recording
carrier, the recording carrier stopping while the interim storage means
continues to run, however. The command to switch off the recording can
possibly be processed after a time lag corresponding to the interim
storage's capacity in order to compensate for the delay due to the delayed
transfer from the interim storage means to the recording carrier and to
transfer still completely to the recording carrier the contents of the
interim storage means from the point in time at which the command to
switch off the recording was given.
4. Later transfer of the contents of the interim storage means to the
actual recording carrier is unnecessary.
5. Switching off the receiver switches off the interim storage means at the
same time, possibly with the delay described under 3 above to ensure
complete recording of the contents of the interim storage means at the
point in time of switching off the receiver onto the recording carrier.
6. Switching on the receiver switches on the interim storage means to the
frequency or channel to which the receiver is set.
Version I is the simplest, Version II is a preferred and Version III is the
most preferred of the examples of the embodiment described here by way of
example.
In the case of another simple embodiment of the apparatus according to the
invention, the interim storage means may be a separate component unit
which is connected in parallel with the recorder in the arrangement
according to the invention which consists of a receiver and a recorder. In
this respect, as the actual interim storage means, as described, it
comprises for example an annular tape, an endless tape, a storage disc or
some other storage means which is suitable according to the invention, and
also a receiving station, a playback station and an erase station,
possibly also in combination with one another. With regard to the
circuitry, it can according to Versions I to III be coupled to per se
known combinations consisting of recording and receiving apparatus.
Preferred however are the stations provided on per se known equipment.
Thus, for instance, in the case of double cassette decks, also the
stations of the cassette deck which is not provided for direct recording
are suitable.
Even though the arrangement according to the invention is preferably
described with reference to a radio cassette recorder, the teaching
according to the invention is also valid for a man skilled in the field of
video recorders so that it is made possible here by the same principle
according to the invention, during a television transmission, to keep in
store that which has just been shown, on a conventional video cassette,
although the cassette for the recording may still not have been inserted
and/or started.
The teaching according to the invention is interesting also for audio tape
recorders and video cameras in which recordings have to be made of events
where it is not exactly determined when they will start. The recording
instruments or video cameras which are provided with the interim storage
means according to the invention can be held ready for recording without
the actual recording being made and can then be switched on by command of
the user after the event has started. The commencement of the event is
then, according to the version I and II, to be found in the interim
storage means which was stopped after the commencement of the actual
recording or, according to Version III, it may be retroactively
transferred to the recording carrier. This solution may lead to thoroughly
fascinating results not only in the case of natural science recordings but
also in connection with sport or news reports. It does also considerably
reduce the consumption of recording tapes.
The teaching according to the invention can be applied in various ways by
the average man skilled in the art: in a preferred embodiment, the interim
storage means according to the invention can, in order to resolve the
problem on which the invention is based, be integrated into the recording
instrument or into the receiving instrument so that it becomes possible to
obtain commercially for example such a radio recorder, such a video
recorder, such a television receiver, such a tape recorder or such a video
camera. It is however also conceivable that the described interim storage
means, adapted to the task and the solution according to the invention,
may be constructed as a separate component either as a module or as a
separate device. Accordingly, the protection of the patent to be granted
should extend also to these embodiments of the invention.
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